Best Place to Party With L.A.'s Political Elite (2012)

The oldest restaurant on Olvera Street, dating back to 1930, is Casa La Golondrina Mexican Cafe. It's where Los Angeles' politicians and their wealthy benefactors like to throw each other parties — also known as campaign fundraisers — not to mention slap each other on the back and maybe make a promise or two. The restaurant also is known for serving up quality Mexican food in a distinctive, old-school L.A. setting: It's located in Los Angeles' oldest surviving brick house, which was built in 1857. If you desperately want to tell off one of your City Council members, or simply catch his or her ear for one reason or another, you'll probably have to cough up a few hundred dollars in the form of a campaign contribution. But at least you'll know where to find them, right? 17 Olvera St., dwntwn. (213) 628-4349.